In this episode of the "Damn Good Medics Podcast," hosts Mark Chad, and Jeff discuss the concept of leadership and its critical importance in the public safety industry, particularly in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The episode begins with a heartfelt tribute from the hosts to Mark's late father, Mike Norris, who was a significant influence on the podcast and on their own professional lives. Mike Norris was a public safety professional who championed principles of leadership, high reliability, and human factors.
The conversation then shifts to defining leadership. Jeff and Chad emphasize that leadership is about goal setting and providing a clear vision to unite a team. They use the analogy of a political party struggling without a clear figurehead to illustrate the need for a focused message and mission. The hosts also highlight the importance of communication in leadership, noting that it's not enough to set goals; a leader must also effectively communicate those goals to their team.
The discussion also explores the concept of edification, or building people up. The hosts stress that a good leader doesn't just manage tasks but also develops the people on their team, helping them grow professionally and personally. They draw parallels between a toddler learning to walk and a new EMT learning the ropes—both require practice, patience, and support.
Another key is the role of trust. The hosts agree that leadership is a two-way street and that a leader must first earn the trust of their team. They share personal anecdotes about their own experiences building trust when entering new leadership roles. They also discuss how a leader's character is more important than their strategy or personality, echoing quotes from historical figures like General Norman Schwarzkopf and George Washington.
The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on why they choose to be leaders. For them, it's about making a positive impact, leaving things better than they found them, and a sense of responsibility to the profession. They underscore the idea that a leader's function is to produce more leaders, ensuring a legacy of good practice and continuous improvement in the EMS industry.
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